Tunisia boat capsize: 39 Bangladeshis still missing

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Bangla Tribune Report
Published : 16:38, May 15, 2019 | Updated : 19:04, May 15, 2019

Migrants in a dinghy await rescue by the Migrant Offshore Aid Station in the Mediterranean in international waters off the coast of Libya, June 23, 2016. REUTERS FILE PHOTODhaka has released the identities of 39 Bangladeshis who had gone missing after a boat carrying them capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen made the statement while briefing reporters at the ministry on Wednesday (May 15).

On May 9, two boats – one carrying 50 and another 75 people – set out at the same time from Zouara, Libya. One possibly reached Italy, while the other capsized in the Mediterranean Sea, near Zarzis of Tunisia.

Of the 75 migrants, 54 people were Bangladeshis, among which, 40 are feared to be dead.

The minister said of the 54 Bangladeshi migrants, 14 were rescued earlier. Among the rescued, four are undergoing treatment in a Tunisian hospital, while 10 are under the care of Red Crescent, the foreign minister added.

"The officials of Bangladeshi mission in Libya went to the survivors and got the information," the minister said. "The list we issued is based on their report."

The government is investigating the travel agencies that facilitate the transportation of the migrants to Italy, or other countries in Europe, he further said.

The minister said, "We have already sealed off 23 travel agencies in Sylhet.

"Now we are investigating several other travel agencies in Madaripur and Noakhali."

/srj/
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